As I alerted you last week, a Ground Zero commemoration for the families of victims of 9/11 will be held without prayer unless New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision is reversed. Pastors are not invited to the event, as Mayor Bloomberg apparently thinks that the invited politicians will be able to offer enough comfort to the families. But Mayor Bloomberg's glaring omissions from the event do not end with clergy. The very people who hallowed the ground, the living embodiment of selfless courage we vowed "never to forget" -- New York's first responders -- won't even be invited.

This past weekend, as large areas of New York City were evacuated in preparation for Hurricane Irene, first responders were on vigilant alert, prepared at a moment's notice to place their lives in harm's way for others. If anything, this should have served as a reminder for Mayor Bloomberg of the sacrifices these men and women are prepared to continually make and the recognition they deserve.

While the mayor may be blind to those he's leaving aside, the American people and New Yorkers are taking notice. New York City council member Fernando Cabrera has called the mayor's decision "a tragic mistake." Your voice is being heard as well. At this writing, nearly 30,000 have signed our petitionto Mayor Bloomberg asking that he reverse his decision to deny first responders and prayer a place at this most solemn remembrance.